Spirit-level



.B. B. BUTT.

(No Model.)

SPIRIT LEVEL.

Patented June 23, 1885.

fa l;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BOZVELL B. BUTT, OF NEVARK, NEV JERSEY.

SPIRIT-LEVEL.

Application filed August 14, 1894.

3P31C!PICA'lIOh'l' forming part of Letters Patent N'o. 320,537, dated June 23, 1885.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, BozwELL B. BUTT, of Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Levels, of which the following is a specification.

My improved .level is eminently adapted to be carried in the pocket, and may be designated a pocket-level.

The following is a description of whatIconsider the best means of carrying out the invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a side elevation or face view. Fig. 2 is a corresponding vertical longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on the line x as, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures where they occur.

A is a casting of brass or other suitable metal, certain portions being designated,when necessary, by additional marks, as A A A large hole,b, is formed in the center. A straight edge, A, is presented on one side. The remaining portion of the edge is curved, as indicated by A There is sufficient thickness to the casting to give considerable weight. This is an advantage in holding the level firmly in place.

D is a glass tube nearly filled with alcohol, except the usual small bubble, d. This tubeis inserted in a hole drilled longitudinally near the straight edge Aand in aline parallel therewith. The hole should be only a little larger than the tube, and the tube may be firmly set with white lead or othersuitable material. A plug, 0, is inserted to close the mouth of the hole in which the tube is inserted. The central .portion of the tube D is presented in the hole I), so that the bubble (I may be conveniently inspected.

The metal at and in the immediate vicinity of the straight edge A is considerably thicker than the remaining portions of the body A. There is a considerable offset, a, on each side. There is a deep groove, a, along the exterior of the straight side A. These offsets a and stances.

- from that shown.

an angle, as on the corner of a rectangular article, or on a cylindrical surface, as on a piece of shaft-ing. By applying mylevel so that the groove a receives the cylindrical surface we may be certain that the axis of the shaft lies in the extended plane of the body A.

The offsets a are accurately finished exactly parallel to the straight edge A. They serve in plumbing on the under side of any article. To use this offset, my device is pressed up un der the article at one edge, so that the offset a. engages under the edge of the shelf or other article, and the condition as to level is indicated.

' A second glass tube, E, also nearly filled with alcohol and containing a bubble, is inserted in the body A at right angles to the hole which receives the glass tube D. A plug, G, is inserted to close the mouth of the hole and retain the tube E.

Modifications may be madein the forms and proportions. I can use iron or steel as the metal. I can make the holeblarger or smaller than here shown. One or more holes may be drilled or otherwise produced in the body A additional to the hole I). the device; but I esteem the weight an important quality in holding the device firmly down upon any surface on which it is placed.

The groove (1. may be of different section It may be of rounded section instead of V-shaped. It may be V-shaped spread open more, making a more obtuse angle at the base; or it may be V-shaped shut up more, making a more acute angle at the base. I prefer the angle shown. Ideepen the groove at the extreme bottom, so that no for eign matter, as dust, is likely to accumulate there and affect the action of the instrument.

The device is eminently strong. My experiments have been made with the straight side A about three inches long and the curved side A an exact semicircle. I prefer in all respects the construction and proportions shown.

It is not essential to success that the tube or tubes be cemented in position. They may be held reliably by fitting them closely in their respective holes, either by a direct fit of the glass against the metal or by inserting any suitable soft bedding, as cotton, and forcing the plug 0 firmly against the same.

Parts of the device may be used without the Such would lighten whole. I can make a very useful instrument without the cross-tube E.

My device will endure a large amount of hard usage. It may be dropped or thrown with impunity. In the rare case that one of the glass tubes shall be broken the corresponding plug, 0 or G, may be easily forced outand the hole easily prepared to receive a new tube, after which the plug 0 may be reinserted, and all will be ready for use as before.

I am aware that in a combined tool two spirit-tubes have been arranged at right angles to each other, both being visible through the opening of the tool-handle. Such construction is not sought to be covered, broadly, in this application.

I claim as my invention 1. A pocket-level,substantially as described, consisting of a stock having asingle aperture, as b, and two spirit-tubes, asD E, visible therein, one spirit-tube being arranged parallel with the straight edge and the other at right angles thereto, as set forth.

2. In a level-indicator, the body A, having the groove a and one or more offsets, a, in corn bination with the glass D, as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at Newark, New Jersey, this 8th day of August, 1884, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. BOZWELL B. BUTT.

IVitnesses:

ROBERT MARTIN, G. L. SMITH. 

